Going on 4 Months!

Happy Mother's Day!

Next week is our four month anniversary, so I thought I would try and capture the last month. A few weeks ago we were going through a tough time with the kids all adjusting to each other, especially Austin and Tatum. Our family has undergone such a major change, and naturally there are feelings of grief and loss for all of us to work through. It still feels like a roller coaster ride with the ups and downs. Then there are many times when we glimpse what we hope and pray for, all of our kids enjoying each other and growing closer.
Last weekend we took our first little vacation together to Nebraska for Ashley's wedding (our niece) and Kansas for Aaron's graduation (our great nephew). It was Ashley and Joshua's first time to stay in a hotel room, and they loved it. All four of the kids enjoyed a lot of time in the hotel pool.

It was also the first time Joshua had been to a wedding. Our niece, Ashley, looked radiant. Joshua wouldn't dance with anyone until it came time to dance with the bride.
Ashley & Logan

Aaron & Austin-we are so excited Aaron is moving to Colorado this fall to attend college!

Uncle Mike gave us a tour of the Med-Evac helicopter that he pilots-way cool!

Tatum graduated from middle school this week. We are so proud of how hard she has worked in school. Since she was out a couple days earlier than the rest of the kids, she promised Joshua she would ride bikes with him to his school yesterday. Every day for a week he counted down the days until he could ride to school with Tatum. Tatum recently joined Ashley in a project she is building in our back yard. It warmed my heart to hear her say, "I'm going to hang out with my sister." I hope as the language barrier breaks down, her and Ashley will grow closer together.

8th Grade Graduation-Allie & Tatum

We had a fear factor dinner after we went to the Ukrainian market in Arvada. Ashley and Joshua picked out some of their favorites foods and then cooked dinner. Tatum was lucky enough to be at a friend's house. They instructed us that we could not complain and had to try a bite of everything, because that is our rule for them. They had a lot of fun watching our faces as we tried everything. Sabrina liked the fish!

Ashley graduated from her school's newcomers program this week. Every child stood up and received an award from their teacher, and then they read a note they wrote to their family in English and their native language. It was so special to hear each kid thanking their parents for the opportunity to come to the US. The girls all cried as it was time to say goodbye as they will be going to their neighborhood schools next fall and won't be together again. The newcomer program is one year long. Ashley still talks to her best friend in Ukraine, Natasha, every Saturday on the phone, and her teachers occasionally send her a note via email.

Joshua still is having problems in school. If he doesn't think he likes the work he is given, he will refuse to do it and sometimes walks out of the room. The other issue we have had is if someone pushes him, he will retaliate physically. This is how they dealt with things in the orphanage. His behavior has improved dramatically in the last four months, but we still have a lot of things to work on. He will be going to summer school. We are blessed to live in a neighborhood with many kids, and he spends a lot of time playing outside with his cousins and friends. Joshua has mentioned a few times in the last month that he is staying in Colorado. Chris, Christine and Ahna were over for dinner the other night, and we were telling the kids that Ahna is in college. Joshua said, "I'm not going to college. I'm staying in Colorado." I'm glad he likes it here!

Austin just finished up his sophomore year. He really wants a car, which means he needs a job, but he can't seem to get off the couch to go apply for a job! Normal teenager.

We are busy planning for the Ukraine Orphan Outreach summer camp. Eight orphans from Ukraine will be coming to Colorado June 23-July 14. Check out our website for the camp schedule. Please come and meet the kids! There are also lots of volunteer opportunities to bless these kids while they are here on the website. Just click on the "Camp 2009" link and then "Volunteer schedule."

As for me, I quit my job for the summer. They asked me to do a few small projects from home, which will be perfect. Jim and I felt that I needed me to be home this summer with all of the adjusting we are still going through. I am so excited to spend the summer with the kids! Jim is still working but wondering how the Oracle takeover of Sun will affect his job.

It is surreal to look around and see these two new people in our home that we are still getting to know, and I am still astounded by Ashley and Joshua's bravery to risk it all to come and be a part of our family.